The two presenters MasterChef must now hire after Gregg Wallace and John Torode debacle

MasterChef can’t catch a break lately.

After a damning investigation came out this week that upheld 45 of 83 complaints against Gregg Wallace – including one of unwelcome physical contact, seven allegations of bullying, and the majority relating to inappropriate language and humour – co-host John Torode is now in the firing line.

An allegation of Torode using ‘an extremely offensive racist term’ was upheld and he was sacked as a MasterChef presenter as a result. Confirming the news, the show’s production company, Banijay, said it was ‘agreed’ with the BBC that his contract on the show will not be renewed.

In his latest Instagram statement, Torode said: ‘Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I’ve been “sacked” from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of. The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong.’

He added: ‘Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future… Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it’s time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have.’

John Torode had to go.

In fact, the show has been in need of a total overhaul for a long time – especially to stop it going the way of This Morning.

The latter never fully recovered from the Phillip Schofield scandal, with Holly Willoughby becoming a constant reminder of its most shocking controversy. Even before the racism allegations came to light, Torode was too closely linked to Wallace, and his continued presence would have made it harder for MasterChef to move on.

And, gallingly, both of Torode’s statements via Instagram this week have had a glaring omission: Not once did he condemn Wallace’s behaviour or express sympathy for the people behind the 45 complaints that were upheld.

That, in itself, is appalling. So, with the knowledge that he also used ‘an extremely offensive racist term’, I say good riddance, Torode. 

Both his and Wallace’s departure from the show will give it a chance to reset — and there are two clear candidates who could breathe new life into the show at a moment when it’s on life support.

Grace Dent and Jay Rayner are the obvious pairing to save MasterChef, steer it in a new direction, and help it shed the skin of its problematic past.

Both are long-standing members of the MasterChef family — and highlights of the show.

Dent is refreshingly engaged with the future of food broadcasting, regularly appearing on TikTok and other platforms to champion aspiring culinary talent.

She treats a Michelin star meal with the same respect as a perfect fry-up at a local café. And her razor-sharp wit would be the ideal antidote to Wallace’s often wince-inducing humour.

She’s already filmed the next series of Celebrity MasterChef, and I have no doubt it will be a much more palatable watch without a trace of Wallace – although Torode confirmed he was part of this season, as well as two additional Christmas specials.

Side note: I believe these should still be aired – just as I argued earlier this week that Wallace’s final MasterChef should be aired too.

MasterChef has long needed a feminine touch and there is simply no one more deserving of the job than Grace Dent — particularly after gaining huge popularity following I’m A Celebrity in 2023. Her time is now.

Rayner, too, strikes a rare balance of being both scathing and charming. He’s blisteringly funny, bursting with charisma, and appreciates a world-class chippy dinner just as much as fine dining. Few others — certainly not Wallace or Torode — manage that same breadth and warmth.

Rayner could recite the Teletubbies and make it sound like poetry. Even though ‘posh’ isn’t popular, Rayner breaks the mould. Despite sounding like aristocracy, he feels like a man of the people.

Now that MasterChef is missing the ‘cheeky greengrocer’ figure Wallace loved to lean on, Rayner fills that void — in a totally different, but exciting new way.

Obviously, the dust is yet to settle on Wallace and Torode’s exits. They’ve been at the helm of MasterChef for 20 years and those are not easy shoes to fill — but if anyone can, it’s Dent and Rayner.

At the very least, I hope MasterChef still has a future.

I feel more confident that it does compared to other shows that have suffered similar controversies. 

This Morning has struggled to reach the same relevance as it did when Holly and Phil went viral every day for bursting into fits of hysterical giggles.

I love Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd individually, but together they have zero chemistry; ultimately with shows like This Morning, it’s the chemistry that makes or breaks it.

In the case of MasterChef, it is all about the contestants, the journey and ultimately finding a winner whose restaurant I’d travel cross-country to eat in. 

But a Dent and Rayner combination could see MasterChef not only have us caring about the contestants, but about the presenters, too. Torode and Wallace weren’t cherished or ever compared to the Ant and Decs or Holly and Phils of broadcasting, but this new pair could be.

I don’t think Wallace and Torode ever carried the show and I can’t even say I ever tuned in to watch either of them.

If anything, the idea of two new presenters — particularly if it’s Dent and Rayner — makes me more excited for MasterChef than I’ve been in a very long time.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk. 

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